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On 14 January, an international conference “Developing the Southern Corridor - promotion of energy supplies from Caspian Region” was held in Georgia. Deputy Speaker of the Seimas (Parliament) of Lithuania Česlovas Vytautas Stankevičius took part in the Batumi Energy Conference, along with delegations of 11 countries and the European Union.

In his speech, Deputy Speaker Č.Stankevičius stressed that energy issues can be addressed only through international and interregional cooperation in accordance with the rules that would be set out and included into the Energy Charter. He said that the Southern Corridor, the importance of which was discussed both in the Energy Summit of Krakow and in the Energy Summit of Vilnius in 2007, was significant for both the countries of Central Asia and the Caspian region that were exporting energy resources to consumers in the European Union and in transit countries. When the balance is stuck between these interest groups, we can result in a win-win situation.

Deputy Speaker Č.Stankevičius highlighted the significance of the transatlantic partnership and assured about Lithuania’s support when creating the EU-U.S. Energy Council.

The Joint Statement of the final conference underlined the strategic importance of the Southern Corridor, the need for a close cooperation aiming to strengthen the sovereignty of the countries in the region, their independence and energy supply security and sustainability. The document also sets out the goal to strengthen the cooperation and a strategic partnership based on the provisions as set out in the Energy Charter. The countries that were present at the conference agreed to pursue joint projects making use of the Eastern Partnership and other financial instruments that would allow implementing the Euro-Asia Oil Transportation Corridor and the Southern Corridor projects quicker and more efficiently. The joint statement underlines also the significance of strengthening transatlantic energy cooperation.